Survey reveals cuts in training spending

Spending on training across the public sector fell in 2004 and is
likely to contract further this year, the Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development’s annual survey suggests.

It found that more public sector training managers report budget
cuts than those in the private sector. The latter were also more
optimistic that training budgets would increase in the coming 12
months.

The survey’s authors state that this is a reverse of the 2003
survey findings and is surprising considering the government’s
extra investment in the public sector. The report concludes: “One
reason may be that public sector training budgets were squeezed as
organisations have increased pay levels to confront mounting
recruitment and retention difficulties.”

But sector skills council Skills for Care – formerly Topss England
– doubts that the findings reflect the true situation in social
care because all employers in the sector had to spend a certain
amount to meet the requirements of the care standards.

An SfC spokesperson said the extra training spend in the private
sector would help many social care staff – around three-quarters
are employed in the independent sector.